Objective 7.2:
Increase cultural responsiveness amongst services and healthcare practitioners
Action 7.2.3:
Provide cultural responsiveness training to GPs, other medical practitioners, mainstream service providers and healthcare practitioners working in forensic settings
As part of the Integrated Team Care Program[1], the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) implements a number of strategies to improve the cultural responsiveness of mainstream primary care – including:
- Delivering cultural awareness training to primary care staff
- Consulting with and providing advice to general practices to support them to create a more welcoming environment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people
- Providing in-reach services into mainstream general practices, to support appropriate usage of Indigenous-focused MBS items, ensuring follow-up services are also provided.
Key Achievements
Following the implementation of the strategies above, IUIH have noted:
- An increased number of PIP IHI-endorsed[2] general practices in the region
- An increased number of PIP IHI-endorsed[3] patients in the region
- Improved access to primary care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Improved relationships between IUIH and the mainstream practice that engaged in the training.
As relationships with mainstream general practices grow, the interest in cultural awareness training also grows – with approximately 100 health practitioners attending training in the past year.
Similarly, following engagement in cultural awareness training, IUIH note increases in referrals to the Integrated Team Care Program[1] for care coordination services. During 2018/2019, the Integrated Team Care Program provided support to 687 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Key Learnings
Completion of the cultural awareness training has lead to a greater awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and an increased interest in providing better care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
What’s Next?
The PHN plan to continue funding the Integrated Team Care Program in its current form.
[1] http://www.iuih.org.au/Services/Clinical-Service-Delivery#carecoordination
[1] http://www.iuih.org.au/Services/Clinical-Service-Delivery#carecoordination
[2] Practice Incentives Program Indigenous Health Incentive: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/organisations/health-professionals/services/medicare/practice-incentives-program/how-apply/guidelines#a5
[3] Practice Incentives Program Indigenous Health Incentive: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/organisations/health-professionals/services/medicare/practice-incentives-program/how-apply/guidelines#a5
